Suspect Who Fled Georgia Roadblock Arrested

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I covered a story a few months ago regarding a suspect who attempted to run over an officer at a roadblock in Clayton County.

That suspect was on the run until earlier this week when officers arrested him on the following charges:

• Obstruction in Georgia
• Fleeing or Attempting to Elude in Georgia
• Reckless Driving in Georgia

The suspect was named the No.2 wanted suspect in Clayton County last month. The incident occurred during a DUI Roadblock in Georgia.

In today's post I will outline the law behind one of the offenses faced by the suspect - obstruction.

Obstruction in Georgia

Obstruction in Georgia is defined in the Georgia Code as: misdemeanor obstruction and felony obstruction.

Misdemeanor obstruction is defined in O.C.G.A. §16-10-24(a) as:

When a person knowingly or willfully obstructs or hinders any law enforcement officer in the lawful discharge of his official duties.

The penalty for a misdemeanor conviction in Georgia is a fine up to $1,000, jail time up to one year, or both. It can also come with community service, anger management classes, or any other punishments allowed under the misdemeanor sentencing laws of Georgia.

Felony obstruction is defined in O.C.G.A. §16-10-24(b) as:

When a person knowingly and willfully resists, obstructs, or opposes any law enforcement officer, prison guard, correctional officer, community supervision officer, probation officer, or conservation officer in the lawful discharge of his or her official duties by offering or doing violence to the person.

The penalty for a felony obstruction conviction is a prison term between one and five years. In addition to any prison term imposed, the accused will pay a fine of at least $300. Furthermore, the penalty could include community service and anger management classes.

Practice Note

Obstruction and other DUI related crimes are our areas of speciality. If you have been arrested, call our offices now.